Get a free screening for Prostate Cancer Awareness month

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer diagnosed among American men. And although one in six American men will get prostate cancer in the course of his lifetime, if it’s caught early, nearly 100 percent survive.  Just over 1.8 million men in the United States are prostate cancer survivors.

Screening may detect prostate cancer even before symptoms appear. Men age 50 and older should consider annual screening with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal exam (DRE).  African-Americans and others with a family history (father, brother, son) of prostate cancer should have both tests beginning at age 45.  Men may also have a baseline screening as early as age 40.

The PSA is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen released by the prostate gland into the blood.  Normal PSA levels vary by age, so be sure to discuss results with your physician.  

During the DRE, the physician inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and uses the other hand to press on the lower abdomen or pelvis area to check for abnormalities.

You should talk to your doctor about prostate screening and when you should begin testing.  Click here for a physician referral.

For more information about prostate cancer and Memorial Hermann Cancer Centers, click here.

You are invited to attend any of our free prostate screenings.  Registration is required.  Appointments fill up fast, so call 713.222.CARE today.

Our team of professionals includes board-certified urologists, dedicated radiologists, oncologists, highly qualified surgeons and oncology nurses (skilled nurses with special training in cancer care). Using multidisciplinary team planning, all of the specialists involved in treating a patient coordinate and agree on the treatment plan, ensuring the best quality of care available. Nurse Navigators are available to help patients understand and navigate their course of treatment.

Risk Factors

There are certain factors that may increase the risk of a man developing prostate cancer.    These include:

• Age:   Age is the greatest risk for prostate cancer, a risk that increases after the age of 50.
• Race:  African-American men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white American men, and are twice as likely to die of the disease. Prostate cancer is less common in Asian men.
• Family history: Men with a father, brother or son with prostate cancer are twice as likely to be diagnosed with it themselves.
• Diet: A diet high in saturated fat and low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Men with early-stage prostate cancer may not see any symptoms.  However, as the cancer progresses, symptoms may often appear.  These include:

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Inability to urinate
• Painful or burning urination
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or upper thighs